Bleeding The Braking System - APRILIA Atlantic 500 Workshop Manual

Routine maintenance operations

BLEEDING THE BRAKING SYSTEM

(FRONT ONLY)
Carefully read DISC BRAKES.
If air is present in the hydraulic system, it acts as a bear-
ing and absorbs the majority of the pressure exercised
by the brake pump, reducing the effectiveness of cali-
per action during braking.
You can tell if there is air in the system from the
"sponginess" of the brake control and reduced braking
efficiency.
WARNING
Since these conditions would be extremely dan-
gerous for the vehicle and the rider, it is abso-
lutely necessary to bleed the hydraulic system
after the brakes have been refitted and normal
conditions of brake system use have been re-
stored.
Unscrew the four screws (2) of the brake fluid tank (3).
Remove the cover (4).
NOTE
In order not to spill brake fluid during topping
up, keep the fluid in the tank parallel to the ground.
Remove the gasket above the cover.
Make sure that the level of the fluid completely covers
the glass gauge (6) and top up if necessary.
Remove the protection cap (7) from the bleeder nip-
ple. Connect a transparent tube (9) to the bleeder nip-
ple (8).
CAUTION
Do not contaminate the pads or the disc with
brake fluid.
Place the free end of the transparent tube into a con-
tainer (10).
Slowly pull the brake lever through its full stroke two
or three times, then keep it in a fully pulled position.
Loosen the bleeder nipple (8), press the lever and
check that together with brake fluid, air bubbles come
out from the transparent tube.
CAUTION
Before releasing the brake lever, tighten the
bleeder nipple (8), to prevent air from entering the
brake system.
When only brake fluid comes out, tighten the bleeder
nipple (8) and release the brake lever.
Bleeder nipple (8) tightening torque: 14 Nm (1.4
kgm).
NOTE
Repeat the last three operations until all air
bubbles have been eliminated.
CAUTION
After reassembly, pull the brake lever repeatedly
and check that the brake system is operating
correctly.
chap. 2
4
2
3
Release 00 2002-09
Atlantic 500
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2
6
2-19